Spanish Street Artist Pez Hits Shoreditch

Nearly two weeks ago now London was treated to a visit from Barcelona based artist El Pez, who was over for the launch of his book at the West Bank Gallery, and while over took the time to hit up three delightful works spreading his infectious message of happiness and joy.

El Pez, whose name translates from Spanish as ‘Fish’, tells you virtually all you need to know about this artists work. He started painting in 1999 on the outskirts of Barcelona, and after a period of signing his work with his name, he one day signed the work with a smiling fish, which in turn would go on to become the very essence of Pez’s work and message, El Pez was born. Searching for a universal language with which to interact with viewers, the cartoon smiling fish became the medium, a means to pass on a friendly and undeniably positive energy to walkers on the streets. One can’t argue with such intentions, nor deny the fact that upon seeing El Pez’s smiling fish characters and the often accompanying messages, such as ‘Don’t Worry I’m Happy’, you do find yourself smiling at these friendly happy creations.

These walls were facilitated in conjunction with the Forest Reycling Project as part of the ‘Colour The Capital’ project.

The first work placed up by El Pez ‘Smile Or Die…’, on Rivington Street, reworking a spot that had featured work from El Pez from a previous visit to London

El Pez’s second work ‘Don’t Worry I’m Happy’ placed up on Great Eastern Street.

Work alongside work from Olivier Robbieu & JXC.

This wall, placed up in the alleyway leading to Star Yard off of Brick Lane, was created as part of the ‘Colour The Capital’ project from the Forest Recycling Project, who are set to brighten up run down community spaces with a series of nine street art murals around East London, this being the sixth mural created as part of a collaboration with Vovazomb, not yet completed.

6 comments on “Spanish Street Artist Pez Hits Shoreditch”

Yeah it is delghtful and looks so good as you stroll up Brick Lane. Just a shame that this wall tends to have high turnover and is somewhat of a free-for-all. We don’t expect the Pez piece to last too long unscathed.

Now you mention it about Pez meaning fish in Spanish…. I’ve only just clocked on that his colourful characters are in fact fish…. How did I never notice that before??? The brain is a strange machine indeed…… Next time I go into a chip shop I might just ask for Pez & Chips please.